Section 1: Approval status of residential care home

This question relates to sections 109(2), 111 and 124(1)(e) of the Aged Care Act 2024

Question 1.1

To deliver funded aged care services in Category 6: Residential care, you will need to have at least one approved residential care home. 

 

Whether you are already registered in Category 6 or applying to add Category 6 to your registration, your response to this question helps us to understand whether you are adding a residential care home(s) that is either:

  • already approved; or 

  • not yet approved (i.e., you are also applying to have it approved alongside your application to vary your registration). 

Section 2: Residential care home details

These questions relate to section 109(2) of the Aged Care Act 2024

Questions 2.1 to 2.17

No additional guidance is provided for these questions. Refer to the variation form for instructions.

Section 3: Currently approved residential care home

These questions relate to sections 109(2)(c) and 124(1)(e) and (4) of the Aged Care Act 2024

Questions 3.1 to 3.7

Your response to this question helps us to understand how an existing approved residential care home will be transferred to you from another registered provider. This information is needed so that we can be sure there are appropriate arrangements to ensure continuity of care for any older people affected by that transfer.

These arrangements must be compatible with the Statement of Rights.
 

Your response to question 3.7 should include: 

  • the date of the transfer

  • how you will identify all relevant factors affecting the continuity of care for older people at the home (e.g., assessing ongoing care needs, including consulting with older people to understand their needs and perspectives)

  • how you will engage with the provider transferring the home (e.g., in relation to the timing of transition arrangements and the sharing of records relating to an older person such as care plans)

  • how you will identify risks and manage them (e.g., ensuring older people from culturally diverse backgrounds can continue to communicate in their preferred language)

  • details about any older people that will leave or enter the home during the transfer process and how you will support them (e.g., identifying alternative providers, making the older person aware of them, and empowering the older person in their choice of what services they access)

  • details about the ownership of or right to use the premises the home is located (e.g., whether title to the property is also be transferred)

  • operational matters (e.g., whether staffing at the home will change) 

  • any other relevant details.

You may also include attachments to support your response (e.g., project plans for the transfer process).

Section 4: Application for approval of a residential care home

Section 4.1 and Section 4.2

These questions relate to section 109(2) and Division 2, Part 2, Chapter 3 of the Aged Care Act 2024, and section 113-5 of the Aged Care Rules 2025

Questions 4.1.1 to 4.2.5 

When applying to have a residential care home approved, we also need to know whether you own or do not own the premises it is located on. If you are not the owner, we will need to know details about the owner and be satisfied that they have agreed to the premises being used as a residential care home. 

If you selected ‘No’ to question 4.1.1, you must answer questions 4.2.1 to 4.2.5. Also make sure that you provide documents relating to your agreement with the owner of the premises to use it as a residential care home (e.g., a lease agreement). 

Section 4.3: Residential care home occupancy

These questions relate to sections 109(2) and 113 of the Aged Care Act 2024

Questions 4.3.1 to 4.3.3

The ‘maximum number of people that can live in the residential care home’ may be found in certificates or other documents that specify or relate to the:

  • number of beds in the building(s) that make up the residential care home; or
  • total number of people that may occupy or live in the building(s) that make up the residential care home.

The ‘total number of beds to be covered by the approval’ is the number of beds that you want to us to specify as being covered by the approval of the residential care home. That number must be equal to, or less than, any maximum number of people that can live in the residential care home.
 

Make sure to include in your attachments the certificate of occupancy or equivalent certificate known by a different name, or any other document that specifies or relates to the:

  • number of beds in the residential care home; or
  • total number of individuals that may occupy or live in the residential care home.

If the certificate of occupancy or related documents are not available at the time of your application, but you can give us all the other required information about the residential care home, you will need to:

  • tell us that the certificate of occupancy or related documents are not yet available  
  • give us these documents once they are available.

During this time, we may start assessing your application, however, we cannot make a decision to approve the residential care home until these documents have been given to us.    

Section 4.4: Building details

These questions relate to sections 109(2) and 113 of the Aged Care Act 2024

Questions 4.4.1 to 4.4.3

If your residential aged care home does not match any of the listed care home types, select ‘Other’ and provide a description at question 4.4.2.

If you selected ‘Other’ to question 4.4.1, you must provide supporting documents (e.g., a building configuration map).

This question relates to sections 109(2) and 113 of the Aged Care Act 2024, and section 113-5 of the Aged Care Rules 2025

Question 4.4.4

We need to understand the overall preparedness and appropriateness of the building(s) in its use as a residential care home to be satisfied that it will not present a risk to the delivery of quality and safe residential care.

You should also consider:

Your description should address:

  • the physical structure and design of the building(s) 

  • how the fixtures and furnishings of the building(s) are conducive to the delivery of quality, safe, suitable, and comfortable accommodation for older people

  • your staffing strategy for the building(s) to ensure there is an appropriate level of care and supervision for older people residing there (including the 24/7 registered nurse responsibility, unless exempt).

You may also include attachments to support your response. This may include documents relating to the building(s) such as:

  • floor plans and layouts

  • interior design plans

  • accessibility assessment reports

  • health and safety plans, including infection control and emergency responses

  • staffing plans 

  • maintenance schedules.

This question relates to sections 109(2) and 113 of the Aged Care Act 2024

Question 4.4.5

Your response to this question helps us to understand the building codes, standards and laws that apply to the residential care home. There may be a range of requirements across different jurisdictions (e.g., local, state or federal).

At a minimum, a building(s) used as residential care home must meet the standards for Class 3 or Class 9a or 9c as outlined in the National Construction Code.
 

Your description should address any:

  • compliance assessments that have been completed or are in progress 

  • issues or concerns raised in relation to compliance with applicable building codes, standards and laws

  • other relevant information. 

You may also include attachments to support your response. This may include documents relating to the building(s) such as:

  • approved development applications

  • approved contractor agreements

  • compliance certificates. 

This question relates to sections 109(2) and 113 of the Aged Care Act 2024

Question 4.4.6

You will need to disclose any density restrictions on the land. This is usually determined by state and/or local planning legislation and zoning requirements.

You may also include attachments to support your response. This may include documents relating to the building(s) such as:

  • zoning certificates issued by the local council

  • local environment plans (LEPs).

Section 5: Assign a responsible person

These questions relate to sections 109(2) and 111 of the Aged Care Act 2024

Questions 5.1 to 5.2

No additional guidance is provided for these questions. Refer to the variation form for instructions.

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Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, water and community. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

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